Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy-Chapter 656: Apostle (8)

Once again, the Pope visited the island and leisurely wandered through the dungeon.

Previously, he had visited with Rasha but turned back after realizing his limits, but now there was no need for such hesitation.

Unlike before, the Pope was now able to wield the power of the End.

With every step he took, the end approached within the dungeon.

The iron that had endured for centuries began to rust and crumble.

Traps that had only just worked recently stopped functioning as they broke down.

Walls that even withstood Rasha's punches crumbled, and the artificial lifeforms that lurked inside turned to dust and scattered.

The power of the evil god, which had once nearly led the world to destruction, could no longer be endured by the ancient dungeon.

Reaching the end of the dungeon, the Pope opened the door and faced the face of the man sitting inside.

The Hero.

A being who could be rightfully called the symbol of hope and the embodiment of salvation.

Unyielding in the face of any calamity, a hero who claimed victory at the very end of despair.

The Pope, who had faced the Hero countless times, respected him.

Truly, he was the proof of humanity's greatness and the evidence that the Creator was right.

"Long time no see, Hero."

"Are you being too polite? You used to have a more ferocious nature back in the day."

The Hero slowly rose to his feet and raised his sword.

"It was a time of overflowing youthful energy. But it has been hundreds of years since then."

"Yet, even now, you are still trying to resurrect the evil god."

"For the great Creator."

"You believe you are serving the Creator, but you're just acting on your own whims."

The Hero let out a small chuckle as he gathered his energy.

Unlike the past, when he faced the Creator’s apostles, this time he was ready to kill.

The ground trembled. Stones fell from the ceiling. The air stilled, and the very space the Hero stood in became his own.

"Truly, you are as terrifying as ever, whether in the past or present."

"Are you going to run?"

"No. There's no need for that. You cannot kill me."

As soon as the Pope's words ended, the Hero's sword swung and erased his head, but the Pope’s voice continued.

"In the past, you tried to kill me several times. You knew the crimes I committed as the apostle of Agras, and you tried to stop him. But what was the result? You failed, and I am still here."

"Yes. And now, I will correct that."

"No, no. That’s not going to happen. Perhaps you could have done so in the past, but after hundreds of years of decline, you cannot kill me. Never."

The Pope, who respected the Hero from the past, could feel how weak the Hero had become.

His eyes had lost their sharpness, and the once-strong heart had cracks in it. The sword, which had once been sharp, was now old and worn.

He was not the apostle of the Creator who would kill him.

"Hero, would you please step aside? I do not seek to resurrect Agras. I seek to kill him."

"Hahaha! That’s a funny thing to say! The apostle of Agras says he wants to kill Agras!?"

"Yes. Because the beginning and the end must belong solely to the Creator."

Agras had no value in this world.

His best role was as a sacrifice.

The greatest honor Agras could receive was to be offered to the Creator to herald His return to this world.

"This is not rebellion! It is for the sinful evil god! As the apostle of the evil god, I am offering him the chance for atonement!"

As the Pope, caught in madness, screamed, Garad, who had been hiding behind, suddenly sprang forward and stabbed at the place where the Pope's heart should have been.

It was a strike that would have killed an ordinary person instantly, but the Pope leisurely observed the sword that pierced his body.

"I didn’t expect another hero to be here."

"Really? I didn’t expect you, crawling like a worm, to still be alive."

"The apostle of the Creator visited here. So, the role of the Hero has now passed to him."

The Pope stood between those trying to kill him and, with both hands raised, began to pray to the sky.

Great Creator, bestow a miracle upon Your apostle.

Grant that I may never retreat in the face of any trial.

Help that the apostle may become my trial and prove me.

"I truly believe that glory will rest upon you."

Having finished his prayer with a devout heart, the Pope smiled broadly and looked at the two heroes.

"I will pass through now."

"Go ahead and try."

"I will stop you with all my might."

That day, a part of the island disappeared from the earth.

From a certain moment, Joy and Nebera started watching the eyes of those who were observing them.

At first, they had begun fighting out of sheer frustration, but there was no clear way to end it.

If one of them had been overwhelmingly stronger, the fight would have ended with one person’s victory. But unfortunately, they were evenly matched.

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Nebera was better at magic.

She had spent nearly ten more years studying magic, and being an apostle of magic, she had received all kinds of support, so it was only natural.

However, they could not decide the outcome due to Joy’s peculiarities.

Joy had gained extensive battlefield experience traveling with Lucy.

The dark powers she had learned from Erginus.

And, to top it all off, the blessing granted by the Fairy Queen.

With these means, Joy had not only held her ground against Nebera but had at times even pushed her back.

Of course, Nebera had her own experience, so a slight advantage was not enough to secure victory.

‘This should be enough! You brat! Fall for the authority of the Apostle!’

‘You’ve done enough! Now show some grace and step aside! You’re the adult here!’

As they yelled at each other internally to give up, neither of them budged an inch.

‘Aren’t they worried about their friends!?’

‘Do the followers of the god of magic not care what happens to their apostle!?’

Since neither side gave in, the fight continued fiercely without interference, and the conclusion was that one of them would fall before it ended.

So, they both tried to strike a fatal blow at each other, but...

"Excuse me."

At that moment, Erginus, who had interfered, stirred his magical energy, causing both of them to lose balance and fall from the sky.

"Ahhh!"

"Aaaaagh!"

Surprised that they couldn’t use magic, the two screamed, but Lucy caught Joy, and Benedict grabbed the magic apostle.

Finally, after letting out a relieved sigh, the two stood up on the ground and raised their voices at Erginus.

"Why did you suddenly do that?"

"Erginus! You should have at least warned us!"

"I had already planned for this. If I didn’t do this, you two wouldn’t have stopped."

As Erginus bowed his head, the two, who had been grumbling, nodded in understanding.

It was true that they had been able to stop because of Erginus.

"I have much to say, but first, there is something I must tell the apostle of magic."

"What is it?"

"I do not believe that I am greater than the god of magic. I am merely a magician studying the path of magic, not comparable to magic itself."

In the end, Erginus expressed humility, acknowledging that his ability to study magic was thanks to the mercy of the god of magic, causing a slight smile to form on Nebera’s lips.

It wasn’t even her who sought him out; Erginus had come to her first and acknowledged being inferior. Surely the god of magic would be pleased!

"However, the god of magic is somewhat lazy. I’ve traveled around after ascending to divinity, but I never expected magic to stagnate this much. To be honest, I’m disappointed."

"...Do you think it’s because the god of magic neglected it?"

"Yes. Anyone who has ascended to divinity should lead everyone to a better path, don’t you think? At least I’m trying, but it seems the god of magic didn’t."

It’s not easy for those born with great power to be diligent, Erginus nodded, and then suddenly his divine form disappeared.

Normally, such a thing would cause a great uproar, but the people there were strangely calm.

"...The god of magic must have taken him."

"Yes... that seems to be the case."

There was only one person who could kidnap Erginus in this situation.

"Minion. When do you think that nerd will return?"

"Uh. I’m sorry, I’m not sure. The god didn’t say anything."

"Why are the gods more childish than the kids? All gods are idiots."

Lucy openly blasphemed, but no one dared to say anything to her.

After all, she herself was an apostle of the Creator, and everyone could somewhat relate to her sentiments.

"Their bitter fate isn’t light."

A voice from behind made Lucy turn, and she saw a man with a displeased smile, hunched over.

"The debates during the age of mythology almost led to civil wars many times."

"This shady weakling, who is he?"

"He’s the one who left his mark on your hands."

"...A perverted kid from a corner?"

"I don’t know why I’m being called a pervert."

Ganshu frowned, and Lucy burst out laughing.

"Huh. So this is what happens when a stinky brat grows up. You should’ve stayed a brat."

"Sorry, but this isn’t my body. I’m just borrowing the body of my apostle for a while."

"Is this your taste in men? Did you choose a loser because you’re one yourself?"

"Hah. As expected, you’re more fun from a distance."

With a wry smile, Ganshu shrugged and turned his back, motioning for her to follow.

"What now?"

"I’ll tell you what Erginus was about to explain."

"Do we really need to go somewhere else? It smells weird here, and I don’t want to stay."

"Not something everyone should hear. This is about the gods' intentions."